Company DescriptionTheta Data is a pioneering data company specializing in low-latency APIs for delivering high-speed options and stocks data. Our mission is to empower users with real-time, actionable information to make well-informed decisions in dynamic financial markets. With a focus on speed and broad data coverage, Theta Data stands at the forefront of the options data industry by providing essential tools and insights. We are dedicated to equipping professionals with the resources needed to excel in a competitive landscape.We’re a small, nimble team growing quickly. Our platform handles billions of database requests daily, and we’re just getting started. The complexity of our data problems is real: tick-level options data is among the most intricate financial data to store, index, and serve at scale. We take engineering seriously.Role DescriptionWe’re hiring backend-focused Software Engineers to help build and scale the services that power Theta Data. This is a hands-on coding role. You’ll be writing production code from day one. We are looking for self-starting engineers who think deeply about system scale, creatively solve problems, and can move forward in high ambiguity.You’ll join a lean engineering team where your work has a direct, visible impact on the platform and the customers who use it. We have new services to architect, bottlenecks to eliminate, and workflows to redesign from scratch.Additionally, you’ll support live systems, investigate and resolve bugs, and help keep a platform that customers depend on running smoothly.What you will work onDesign, build, and scale backend services handling billions of requests dailyArchitect new systems and contribute to technical directionImprove and automate customer onboarding workflowsIdentify and resolve performance bottlenecks across the stackCollaborate directly with the team and senior technical leadershipOur Technical StackJava - core backend services, business logic, API, thick clientPython - scripting, toolingApache Tomcat - servlet containerJava Servlets - HTTP request handlingPostgreSQL + HibernategRPCAI coding tools (Claude, Gemini, Copilot) - we use them, you should tooWhat we are looking forWe hire for fundamentals, ownership, and a love of building. Depending on your experience level, here’s what we care about:RequiredDeep proficiency in Java with a strong command of the language and ecosystemProven experience optimizing application performance through JVM heap tuning, garbage collection analysis, and memory allocation strategiesStrong computer science fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and systems-level thinkingDemonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining REST APIs and backend servicesWorking knowledge of HTTP, authentication protocols, and modern web architectureNice to HaveExperience working in data-intensive, low-latency environments where performance mattersHands-on experience with PostgreSQL, including schema design and query optimizationPython development experience for tooling, scripting, or service workFamiliarity with Apache Tomcat in production or staging environmentsFrontend exposure with TypeScript and a modern UI library or framework (Vue, React, or similar)Experience designing or maintaining CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deploymentWhy Theta DataRapid growth: the platform and team are both scaling fastReal engineering challenges: data at scale, low-latency systems, complex financial dataHigh ownership: a small team means your decisions matter and ship quicklyGreenfield opportunities: new systems to design, not just legacy to maintainRemote-first: work from anywhereDirect impact: your work reaches thousands of quants and researchers daily